There had been a great deal of nonsense spoken towards the tail end of 2014 - much of it on social media by people who’d never been near the England dressing room - with over-the-top claims of cliques, disharmony and even, most bizarrely, bullying.

It felt as if people were trying to sully what, for the vast majority of the England players involved, had been the most enjoyable and successful period of our careers. It was really disappointing.

I will always look back with huge affection on the time I spent in the England dressing room under Andy Flower and Andrew Strauss between 2009 and 2012, when the team rose from the low of being bowled out for 51 by the West Indies to winning three Ashes series in succession, as well as beating India 4-0 at home to reach the top of the ICC’s world rankings.

Stuart Broad found talk of disharmony in the England team in 2014 England and before to be bizarre

Broad says he looks back at his time in the England team with Andrew Strauss (left) and Andy Flower

I just didn’t recognise the picture painted by a tiny group of people seemingly intent on stirring up trouble.

Yes, we were a tough, determined group of professional cricketers who set consistently high standards and possessed a burning desire to win games. Honesty was an important part of the team culture and it was important that we could be open with each other if things needed putting right.

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Just like any of the world’s top teams, there weren’t too many shrinking violets in the dressing room but that didn’t mean it was an unpleasant place. It was certainly a successful place to be around for much of the time Flower and Strauss were in charge.

Having spoken to a lot of guys since, they were as disappointed as I was about the way the team dynamic had been so unfairly misrepresented.

For those of us who had loved pretty much every minute of representing our country - while forging lasting friendships - we weren’t going to allow it to tarnish everyone else’s memories.

Broad (left), with former coach Andy Flower, says he doesn't recognise the fractured image of the camp

Broadside: How We Regained The Ashes by Stuart Broad is published by Simon & Shuster, priced £20. Offer price £14 (30 per cent discount), until November 7. Order at mailbookshop.co.uk (p&p is free on orders more than £12)